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The National Basketball Association campaign begins now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, he watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will need to show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per match greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the Blazers become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains in form and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Although he took to Instagram recently to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.